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SELF-CARE TIPS FOR TEACHERS

Professor Gail Kinman, a chartered psychologist and an associate fellow of the British Psychological Society, shares three tips a day for the five days of the working week on things that you can do to de-stress and promote a healthy mind, body and soul.

Monday

It’s a universally acknowledged truth that no one likes Mondays, so you need tobegin your day calmly.

Try relaxing for two minutes before your students arrive in the morning. Visualise the day ahead going as well as possible because this is good for the soul.

At the first break of the day step out of auto-pilot and clear your mind by eating a piece of fruit mindfully. Focus on the experience of eating without multi-tasking or your mind wandering.

After work or during lunch go for a walk on your own. Focus on what you see, smell, hear, taste, and feel. Don’t use the time to make plans or dwell on problems.

Tuesday

Tuesday is a good day to pay attention to the early signs that you are becoming stressed.

Think about how the week is going and watch for things that are starting to worry you. This will help you spot your trigger points and take remedial action.

Half way through the day, why not reduce muscle tension? Tense your shoulders without straining, then relax while breathing deeply. Feel the stress fading away.

Tuesday should be a day for forgiveness. Most of us store up many negative emotions that could be released by forgiving ourselves and others.

Wednesday

You’re bang in the middle of the week and making sure you feel refreshed is important; sleep is vital.

Avoid the enemies of sleep. Keep a regular sleep schedule, have a relaxing bedtime routine, eat healthily and get regular exercise.